tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7547224275681890092024-03-27T14:15:33.107-04:00Road Trips!A look at some of the world's most interesting destinationsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1792125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-754722427568189009.post-51726297724409381362024-03-16T13:35:00.005-04:002024-03-22T11:37:54.726-04:00Half Moon Cay, Bahamas<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT1qBjmZ0zLtZNkXm_4EzM4orNWwgfLdSAZLVCIdVGHZjMhRnLtq_GqBL4pKY2quvJOC3_23SYg1rrMOO7KmjlVWD3Np9Q_JF1e3Uk7S8rqxCUBpMPqIDLwR130kpAyrDMOBYeuITSihHxgVayMzTiMGjKvKaDU-Kfu48FUbUpKz5b-IsC1zX1aHJyGNM/s5184/IMG_2446.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT1qBjmZ0zLtZNkXm_4EzM4orNWwgfLdSAZLVCIdVGHZjMhRnLtq_GqBL4pKY2quvJOC3_23SYg1rrMOO7KmjlVWD3Np9Q_JF1e3Uk7S8rqxCUBpMPqIDLwR130kpAyrDMOBYeuITSihHxgVayMzTiMGjKvKaDU-Kfu48FUbUpKz5b-IsC1zX1aHJyGNM/w400-h300/IMG_2446.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Cruise ship companies probably became tired of watching passengers get off their boats to spend money in the stores of others. What if they stopped at their own island?<p></p><p>Thus, places like Half Moon Cay, the private island of the company that owns Holland America and Carnival, exist. Cruisers have to take a tender (small boats seating about 100 or so) from the cruise ship to the island., and they arrive at a completely private area. The area formerly known as Little San Salvador Island covers about four square miles.<br /></p><p>This raised a pre-trip question: What exactly would we do there? Well, there's a nice beach, as the photo shows. The company has a variety of chairs and cabanas available for a relaxing day. There are a few side trips available, which involves some snorkeling, horseback riding, etc. A large barbecue lunch buffet is staged at the appropriate hour. You can get married on a small chapel along the beach if you are so inclined. But there is no way to visit anything else in the Bahamas. <br /></p><p>The question becomes, then, is it worth getting off the boat for a visit, especially if you don't want to merely sit on the beach? That's a tough one. Granted, our one day there was on the overcast side in the morning. Some of the shore excursions were cancelled. That may have led some people to stay on the boat. In any event, there wasn't much energy on the island. We got our feet wet in the ocean, and walked around a bit. The promised nature trails on the island weren't marked, and no one at the information booth knew anything about them. A few stores offered basic souvenir items of the place. <br /></p><p>And so after a short amount of time, we headed back to the boat - even before lunch was served. It was worth checking out, and maybe we should have left later and had lunch there. <br /></p><p>You, however, might want to see a little more.</p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-KZvn0RhMX8?si=vSJiyPrCofehHmF3" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-754722427568189009.post-72390666710294665502024-03-16T13:18:00.004-04:002024-03-22T11:38:53.680-04:00Saint Thomas, United States Virgin Islands<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPWvkuSvI05xcesi6uJnxsrahW6UygqcHeYeajJvogafI9JjgTIEyQhd2bcATkD2lgxUOL-bCPIqJ_UNTIML8hGza8V0XpeVRE2OeZ46zFjE_6EDOvQR5Lk5hvxgv7GWsajmzDUgl2btfFKn4l1yZ57ViGlAqRPqpsrSAT2FhUAh6zs-xI80KgIsh2X1E/s5184/IMG_2429.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPWvkuSvI05xcesi6uJnxsrahW6UygqcHeYeajJvogafI9JjgTIEyQhd2bcATkD2lgxUOL-bCPIqJ_UNTIML8hGza8V0XpeVRE2OeZ46zFjE_6EDOvQR5Lk5hvxgv7GWsajmzDUgl2btfFKn4l1yZ57ViGlAqRPqpsrSAT2FhUAh6zs-xI80KgIsh2X1E/w400-h300/IMG_2429.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>Just how did the United States wind up owning some of the Virgin Islands in the Caribbean? You might guess that it had something to do with foreign affairs, and you'd be right. But my first thought was that it was part of the booty obtained for winning the Spanish-American War, and that would be wrong. </p><p>The three islands were purchased from Denmark in 1917, as the United States was interested in holding down some shipping areas in the region during World War I. Another small island was added to the collection during World War II. The U.S.' Department of the Interior was put in charge of running the place, but eventually home rule was installed around 1970.</p><p></p><p>There isn't much industry on the islands, particularly in Saint Thomas. In fact, there's none as we know it, although there is an oil refinery on a nearby island. So tourism is the top economic engine for the area. It started to grow in popularity as a tourist destination once Cuba was closed to the American marketplace. As cruise numbers have grown, Saint Thomas has become a good stop along the way. </p><p>The climate is tropical but not extreme. While the average summer temperature is about 90, it has never been 100 degrees in Saint Thomas. By the way, it was once 52 there in November. Brrr.</p><p>The capital city is Charlotte Amalee, which is the name of a Danish wife of a King. There's not a great deal of flat land around, which sort of limits economic activity. Even so, the rich and famous seem to enjoy visiting. </p><p>We did a quick drive through downtown on a tour of the island, but didn't try to go back there afterwards. A relatively nice shopping area is centered around the port entrance to the ship, making it easy for the 1+ million visitors each year to leave some dollars behind. I'd bet a week of relaxation could work nicely there. </p><p> <iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Yw5FtcosnCM?si=qBsaQaAR_7-_tZ5c" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-754722427568189009.post-47287690300302745692024-03-16T12:56:00.004-04:002024-03-22T11:40:48.555-04:00Mountain Top, Saint Thomas (U.S.V.I.)<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC3Gw63bE2Z-cXI7NdTOYNWM92g7aW7SG7BiIxn4ymvPSuzkWIXDpYeccaE5vAcg_8cfhwWxegPsVNVGA8_n9V3ELizVYATxXRDJUh3wRg6gUOdxdnCQtU_pkAiO9a2ubb-SVFryV3ssiZ1ZMC1P05bihpZGPIJbHblwdvcg5pR278ICxK6pw59hr4U8c/s5184/IMG_2436.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC3Gw63bE2Z-cXI7NdTOYNWM92g7aW7SG7BiIxn4ymvPSuzkWIXDpYeccaE5vAcg_8cfhwWxegPsVNVGA8_n9V3ELizVYATxXRDJUh3wRg6gUOdxdnCQtU_pkAiO9a2ubb-SVFryV3ssiZ1ZMC1P05bihpZGPIJbHblwdvcg5pR278ICxK6pw59hr4U8c/w400-h300/IMG_2436.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Our last stop on a tour of Saint Thomas was a bit of an odd one. After stopping at a couple of overlooks on our way up the mountain, we finally reached the top. We were greeted by this traffic circle, which wasn't what we expected.<p></p><p>Welcome to the self-proclaimed world-famous Mountain Top, which essentially comes in two parts. Out the back door is a nice view of the area. The problem, of course, cam be tje weather. Sometimes rain pops up on the Virgin Islands, and the timing was all wrong for us. During our time on the mountaintop, we got a great view of clouds and fog. </p><p>Our tour had a 50-minute stop scheduled. That left more time to examine the souvenir shop, which is on the massive side. If you like this stuff, you ought to be able to find something you'd like here. <br /></p><p>The establishment does sell "world famous" banana daiquiris at a bar in the back near the door to the overlook. A fellow traveler reports that the adult beverage that the cup was about five inches tall, and cost something like $12. He reported that the drink was "O.K," although wouldn't be called a "best buy" by Consumer Reports any time soon. There was a good line, though, and a cool drink of some sort in the tropics is never a bad idea.<br /></p><p>At least someone else was there to shoot a video when the sky was clear:</p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JW4u7Wx14A4?si=_KYA_BIm4ZRsBw4Z" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-754722427568189009.post-67111472402286679642024-03-16T12:42:00.001-04:002024-03-22T11:42:24.194-04:00Magens Bay, Saint Thomas (U.S.V.I.)<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipDbnmEoXSEmGvEeDkQpRuucoWvrXa6s2SSnmcKtY_35dzOKT64Wx9Iv364b0nr1e0oNizk2g1RHDBhDDiS2ciEUdMadTo-1zPX9TcDdoQ0NJFXMkROBJmZgrJGX6x08qFonJsBbWas3k9g9kWZ6NaEzHxOrpG8Im2f6AhmWa7D6rhd_UxhMGMsX6kkvk/s5184/IMG_2435.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipDbnmEoXSEmGvEeDkQpRuucoWvrXa6s2SSnmcKtY_35dzOKT64Wx9Iv364b0nr1e0oNizk2g1RHDBhDDiS2ciEUdMadTo-1zPX9TcDdoQ0NJFXMkROBJmZgrJGX6x08qFonJsBbWas3k9g9kWZ6NaEzHxOrpG8Im2f6AhmWa7D6rhd_UxhMGMsX6kkvk/w400-h300/IMG_2435.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>For those who enjoy a great beach, Magens Bay probably is on a bucket list. It's been called one of the great beaches of the world by those who keep track of such things. Who am I to disagree, if if this photo is as close as I got to it? It does look rather nice<br /><p></p><p>Still, it's a beach, and this was as close as we came to it. There's a fee to get in, and it contains the usual washrooms, changing areas and a bar. I have read that the place becomes quite crowded when the cruise ships mount up in the port, sending crowds of tourists this way. But this probably was a quiet day, which was a good break for those who got a much closer look at it. <br /></p><p>The reviews seem to be rather mixed. If you can put up with the inconveniences and concentrate on the actual beach, you'll probably enjoy a world-class area. </p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tC5ESUVKOH4?si=-A_8PZYZ_Vzb5BgU" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-754722427568189009.post-70853141925520901992024-03-16T12:05:00.003-04:002024-03-22T11:44:17.929-04:00Saint Kitts<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiog2JC3VJFxwIVqj0eh3cKcR4hGFod9dKuWD9C9ASnHmQd32zEmqgVZgjrUj_s403f91LWZhyv8BqumjRIuq_X8u51JsD5PSxN_TLn0uBgjNOMpj444OZ13GF3qBeVtRoIXPjVxzy6hSFl-lacrKjgjv6w_WE3-lAs3oYoCsv3Da_bK0NG_ozm7AdNBeg/s5184/IMG_2423.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiog2JC3VJFxwIVqj0eh3cKcR4hGFod9dKuWD9C9ASnHmQd32zEmqgVZgjrUj_s403f91LWZhyv8BqumjRIuq_X8u51JsD5PSxN_TLn0uBgjNOMpj444OZ13GF3qBeVtRoIXPjVxzy6hSFl-lacrKjgjv6w_WE3-lAs3oYoCsv3Da_bK0NG_ozm7AdNBeg/w400-h300/IMG_2423.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Let's start with the name. The official name of this island is Saint Christopher, but no one seems to call it that. Saint Kitts seems to be preferred. You don't mean many people named Kit any more (a shout-out goes to my neighbor in elementary school who used it), but it used to be relatively popular as short for Christopher. <br /><p></p><p>The country actually is two islands. Saint Kitts is one, and Nevis is just across a two-mile channel to the south. That makes the official name the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis. The country was generally under British control until 1983, when it was part of the British West Indies. Now it's a checkmark on your list of countries visited. About 40,000 people live there; many are of African descent. </p><p>About 14,000 of the people live in Basseterre, the capital of the country and the spot where our boat docked. The people there aren't stupid; they set up an a shopping area right by the docks for the big ships. It's a nice, little functional area for picking up some souvenirs.</p><p>Here's a look at some of the tourist attractions:</p><p></p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/I9XINcc2uwE?si=z1luotRz0GhF3XGN" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-754722427568189009.post-3262445689139003212024-03-16T11:47:00.005-04:002024-03-22T11:45:38.949-04:00Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park, St. Kitts<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh24bsS7HGcNvNHtJxFFk6KNeeo2PHnKYV0mwSarvJyL91z5LKfc26w9fxenRrmFOrnI0DC9j4uNSDGLO3GE3Jpq-A1c0A6pT406tXnGG9Ffhy70EjneXoZBsw17cZJFjcIW526eb44pfzTrheDgph4VhNhG4PAoD7cjoVMXJnxsTOSMzcQ_6zpNQwcI_U/s5184/IMG_2418.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh24bsS7HGcNvNHtJxFFk6KNeeo2PHnKYV0mwSarvJyL91z5LKfc26w9fxenRrmFOrnI0DC9j4uNSDGLO3GE3Jpq-A1c0A6pT406tXnGG9Ffhy70EjneXoZBsw17cZJFjcIW526eb44pfzTrheDgph4VhNhG4PAoD7cjoVMXJnxsTOSMzcQ_6zpNQwcI_U/w400-h300/IMG_2418.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>It's become a rule of visiting the Caribbean. Old forts have great views of the area - just as you'd expect with a little thought. Many of the forts in the region are now tourist attractions. Brimstone Hill Fortress qualifies; it has been turned into a national park. Even better, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.<p></p><p>One of the most impressive parts of the visit is the drive up the hill. This area wasn't exactly designed for tourism originally. The drive up the mountain can be a little scary in a good-sized bus, and some of the entrances are extremely narrow. I'm not saying the passengers had to inhale in order to get through the gap, but you get the idea.</p><p>Once inside the main area, a complex set of buildings remains for viewing. A map helps to explain the ruins, which include quarters for the men and officers, hospital, citadel, and other military areas. There is a Visitors' Centre, which has a nice video explaining the place and also contains the required gift shop. </p><p>Brimstone Hill first went into the defense business in 1690, when the British figured out it would be a good place for a cannon. The French send 8,000 soldiers to capture the fort in 1782, and eventually claimed victory in about a month. However, all that effort was short-lived as the British got the island back in a treaty signed in 1783. The fort was abandoned in 1853. </p><p>However, restoration efforts took place in the middle of the 20th century, and Prince Charles turned up in 1973 to dedicate the place. The area became a national park in 1987. It's an impressive site, with plenty of space to walk around and take in the scenery. <br /></p><p>Someone said the place has the best views in the Caribbean. Judge for yourself.</p><p></p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KR1cej-ghj4?si=IuVGY3Ze00GZsFi9" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-754722427568189009.post-83473175400257677602024-03-16T11:31:00.005-04:002024-03-22T11:47:18.635-04:00Rommey Manor, St. Kitts<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidCUpsqpbGZN983sXgMJaL_D7xsHXov2HxVgOUijyGVfvTEoqABhXUaUsm-FJr6UM0EOYPQ_tOWPMpBL1BJTcowOIh0wVI4zqLz1W7g5BRtzZmJUScPrCnktBD46uPUGk8qis_fv8wNZ9OMf91Ljra6qTufUbqO4bHcP5xL22p1CtkoB3F3qFLBfNvR4U/s5184/IMG_2398.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidCUpsqpbGZN983sXgMJaL_D7xsHXov2HxVgOUijyGVfvTEoqABhXUaUsm-FJr6UM0EOYPQ_tOWPMpBL1BJTcowOIh0wVI4zqLz1W7g5BRtzZmJUScPrCnktBD46uPUGk8qis_fv8wNZ9OMf91Ljra6qTufUbqO4bHcP5xL22p1CtkoB3F3qFLBfNvR4U/w400-h300/IMG_2398.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Romney Manor is a good place to start to learn about the history of the region. After all, it was established soon after 1626, when the Europeans were able to take over the island. <p></p><p>King Tegreman, of the Carib Indians, had a home on this spot. But after the, um, upheaval, a man named Sam Jeffreson II took control of the area. The spelling of that name is almost familiar. It was changed to Jefferson, and Sam was the great-great-great grandfather of Thomas Jefferson, who did pretty well over in the United States.</p><p>In the middle of the 1600s, Jeffreson sold part of the estate to the Earl of Romney. Various members of the Romney family owned it until the late 1800s. Speaking of family connections, one of the Romneys seems to be Mitt's great-great-great grandfather. </p><p>The current owner took over in the 1970s and started the process of turning the area into a botanical garden. The flowers are terrific, and there's even a view of the water. </p><p>This probably isn't a place that most could spend a couple of hours. There aren't many exhibits concerning history, and part of the manor is a high-end souvenir store. There is a room dedicated to hand-made fabrics; the technique is called Caribelle Batik. That caught the eye of some of the visitors in our group. It was a good stop on a tour, though, and those with green thumbs will in particular enjoy it. <br /></p><p></p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WVlGn9DuXuw?si=etZqpB-I08TQmRok" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-754722427568189009.post-91155736792132303532024-03-15T17:14:00.004-04:002024-03-16T13:46:52.877-04:00Martinique<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6KK5ZY18SSqsb96PexfqPSmw9SLMyTYGYOvPQ14FT8iGTYIkyriIgGTD1isHvTnXixLJkUOI1kChRmBjdqcIzav4HCFqyETTWuZiH4CCvk1IbqU7WBlFfL6FxZW3FOX2TGmYBykIG6JgzmpXf0AdldMs-yle0ZHfWBPklJTIO5mz1PYw72ze66b5cWqA/s5184/IMG_2380.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6KK5ZY18SSqsb96PexfqPSmw9SLMyTYGYOvPQ14FT8iGTYIkyriIgGTD1isHvTnXixLJkUOI1kChRmBjdqcIzav4HCFqyETTWuZiH4CCvk1IbqU7WBlFfL6FxZW3FOX2TGmYBykIG6JgzmpXf0AdldMs-yle0ZHfWBPklJTIO5mz1PYw72ze66b5cWqA/w400-h300/IMG_2380.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>The French Empire lives on in a variety of spots around the world, and this is one of them. Martinique is one of those places that has been the subject of invasions and fighting over the years. That's rather interesting, since Columbus first landed landed there on one of his trips.... but Spain could have cared less about claiming it. <p></p><p>Eventually French settlers moved into the region, some of them seeking religious freedom. Every so often in the 1700s and early 1800s, the British would invade and take it over for a while ... only to lose it a bit later. In 1815, Martinique became a French possession for good. It has achieved some autonomy over the years, but true independence hasn't arrived yet. Does it count on a list of countries visited? Tough call. <br /></p><p>It checks in at 436 square miles, and Mount Pelee is the dominant physical feature of the place. The volcano is more than 4,500 feel above sea level. You can see its peak in the photo, towering above Saint-Pierre. Pelee hasn't erupted in about 90 years, but that doesn't mean the people are taking anything for granted. </p><p>If you are visiting, use euros and drive on the left. Of course, like most of the Caribbean, dollars from the United States are gleefully accepted. People speak French and Creole, although English pops up in the tourist areas. </p><p></p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hpwJ6IeAksU?si=fJImOQ3Oe1X1jowN" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-754722427568189009.post-85400679158873422162024-03-15T16:59:00.006-04:002024-03-22T11:50:49.902-04:00Saint-Pierre, Martinique: Museum Memorial to the 1902 Catastrophe<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRhTZrTaPIAkPP6jKQmKWTHST1r9OD5Bs3pEyE2jKZ2NPWWSECwRqm0L2v6M4SzW6AWlyBj2xa4BKPCLI5t8sOlhr9Bm2yyd6J38fnUgo1J8teMcZDfuLexmWzZQdaWjLJ2LCy0rFOchPEQYAsqMzNpEt7zXuzSRI-HI6q8OE2qxAAzTy3GSVcVPEZ-04/s5184/IMG_2377.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRhTZrTaPIAkPP6jKQmKWTHST1r9OD5Bs3pEyE2jKZ2NPWWSECwRqm0L2v6M4SzW6AWlyBj2xa4BKPCLI5t8sOlhr9Bm2yyd6J38fnUgo1J8teMcZDfuLexmWzZQdaWjLJ2LCy0rFOchPEQYAsqMzNpEt7zXuzSRI-HI6q8OE2qxAAzTy3GSVcVPEZ-04/w400-h300/IMG_2377.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Mount Pelee blew its top in 1902 on the island of Martinique. The devastation was enormous and in some places complete. The city of Saint-Pierre was particularly hard hit. Just about everyone there died except for one man, who was in jail and hid in a metal oven to avoid the effects of the blast. <p></p><p>A tribute was put up to the victims of the eruption in 1933, but the facility slowly deteriorated to the point where it lost its association with the Musee de France. It was decided by city leaders to try again. Saint-Pierre put up a new building that opened in 2019. </p><p>This is not a particularly big museum - maybe a few trailers put together would do it. There are photos and artifacts from the blast available for viewing. You can see what happened to a bell in the city that got clobbered. One particular aspect of the explosion was of interest to me. At that point in scientific history, researchers could not create super-hot temperatures on their own. After Saint-Pierre cooled down a bit, scientists raced into the region to see what the four-digit temperatures had done to certain metals.</p><p>The museum is located a block and above the waterfront, and the surrounding plaza offers some great views. It's interesting that some of the spaces in "downtown" have never been rebuild since the explosion, which might tell you something about the economy there. </p><p>Oh, and when driving, be warned that the roads are narrow, and traffic is close to insane. Be sure to tip your driver, but he/she is a hero. <br /></p><p> <iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uUrc64J7cyM?si=AgPKcVslWU5kGh7m" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-754722427568189009.post-54144042933876793572024-03-15T16:42:00.008-04:002024-03-22T11:51:43.921-04:00Fort-de-France, Martinique: Jardin de Balata<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyhWvx1fC5ZisbTuPl8AAV2RNMaErV8fSooudJgjsXY1nl50_9LrHCRrnLZ7q6OJPh7p2xVtQkShvTbu9Bc4oCmEfVHUvZd5XVBu_I4RoOc9B7H957IYsGoU0RAd6g9ePQqJaRdcePJUdBugJcUpp0pWnKEkKw-FEQJp4WmmUduijBUNYSq89hrA02wcc/s5184/IMG_2348.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyhWvx1fC5ZisbTuPl8AAV2RNMaErV8fSooudJgjsXY1nl50_9LrHCRrnLZ7q6OJPh7p2xVtQkShvTbu9Bc4oCmEfVHUvZd5XVBu_I4RoOc9B7H957IYsGoU0RAd6g9ePQqJaRdcePJUdBugJcUpp0pWnKEkKw-FEQJp4WmmUduijBUNYSq89hrA02wcc/w400-h300/IMG_2348.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Of all of our stops in the Eastern Caribbean, this one might have produced the most photos in our collection. It's that pretty of an area, and a highlight of our tour of the region. <p></p><p>This private garden is located about six miles outside of downtown Fort-de-France, Not only are there a few thousand varieties of plants, but the views of the surroundings are terrific. </p><p>To me, the highlight of the facility is not for the faint of heart. Visitors can walk along the treetops for a different perspective of the area. After climbing a couple of flights of stairs, they walk on a mostly roped-off area about 20 feet from the ground. While there are boards on the bottom, there is some give and sway. Therefore you'll find yourself walking carefully and stopping every so often, grabbing on to the side netting. But all things considered, it's a thrilling and exhilarating way to experience the grounds. Summon up some courage and take a walk. <br /></p><p>If you like this sort of attraction, you'll probably find yourself asking if you could stay longer ... no matter how long the stop was. By the way, it's been known to rain on short notice up there in the hills, so have a coat or umbrella at the ready no matter what it looks like at the start of the tour.</p><p></p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9WfoPNAVTMc?si=3B7ttnVRFcv7xANm" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-754722427568189009.post-77237977653515232332024-03-15T16:27:00.003-04:002024-03-22T11:53:20.232-04:00Fort-de-France, Martinique: The Church of the Sacred Heart of Balata<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj68J_vvUgapj9FuUu4LFyF2KA90K9SR-jNj5wGysdhDwOOcJEioxRZcmabiPhtB7P9To7LkTrLPY5Z0-fbX7taJIuK__bLLWu8zzAv77iEpys0RjS50rnjsZv2-JxG0yM0YEcuJx-mxW_TQc3fBU1-Mn1NCdSAnvqsCbvNvdktCWNNgC-LQolsIuXD9ns/s5184/IMG_2321.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj68J_vvUgapj9FuUu4LFyF2KA90K9SR-jNj5wGysdhDwOOcJEioxRZcmabiPhtB7P9To7LkTrLPY5Z0-fbX7taJIuK__bLLWu8zzAv77iEpys0RjS50rnjsZv2-JxG0yM0YEcuJx-mxW_TQc3fBU1-Mn1NCdSAnvqsCbvNvdktCWNNgC-LQolsIuXD9ns/w400-h300/IMG_2321.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Care to see one of the most famous churches in Paris ... without going to Paris? Fort-de-France has a solution to that problem. <p></p><p>In 1902, Mount Pelee in the island of Martinique erupted. It caused many people to move to a new location - in this case, Fort-de-France. Many of those people needed a new church for worship. But they needed something fairly big.</p><p>By 1915, architects were hired and went to work. Construction was started in 1924, and finished a year later. The Church of the Sacred Heart of Balata was dedicated to the memory of lost soldiers from World War I.</p><p>But what did it look like? This is the fun part. It looks just like the Sacred Heart Basilica back in Paris ... but at one-fifth the size of the original. There were a few adaptations to account for local tastes. The residents were very proud of the finished product, and remain so to this day. </p><p>Historic churches seem to be a bit rare in the Caribbean, so this one has become a good-sized tourist stop. Adding to the fun is that it is up on a hill and has a nice view of the area. There are also some gardens on the grounds. Photo opportunity? Sure. But it's perhaps worth noting that the inside of the facility needs some repair work, which for whatever reason surprised me a bit. </p><p> <iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qIHvIa_yDe8?si=FvPpRY-1FGEcOMRy" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-754722427568189009.post-88955370754881155672024-03-15T14:04:00.005-04:002024-03-22T11:54:33.900-04:00Dominica<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYHDFxHEddGMXerkunEh0ZVKrEsrzxxHDtDps-9-brFrYJ8_BuvP_W6e8NFvoEQo2FMeLvKUKdEKQbORPg5NjBjTKFpQcMBgxUW6wFSVX8plRUoTEpez-B6zwvwqjvZqG4UTA_6CbwF4xXfaa_7v7xWFcbzMODcMqXgawbqthioUIA_H0XvrZBArLLYIY/s5184/IMG_2303.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYHDFxHEddGMXerkunEh0ZVKrEsrzxxHDtDps-9-brFrYJ8_BuvP_W6e8NFvoEQo2FMeLvKUKdEKQbORPg5NjBjTKFpQcMBgxUW6wFSVX8plRUoTEpez-B6zwvwqjvZqG4UTA_6CbwF4xXfaa_7v7xWFcbzMODcMqXgawbqthioUIA_H0XvrZBArLLYIY/w400-h300/IMG_2303.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Dominica is one of those seemingly endless islands in the Eastern Caribbean that few Americans know much about. This is tucked between Guadeloupe and Martininque, with a mere 290 square miles of territory. It hasn't attracted much tourist traffic over the years, although the leaders are trying to change that. There's not a great deal of available land, either. But it plugs on as best as possible. <p></p><p>The French and British went back and forth on the matter of the island, trying to figure out if it should colonize it or just leave it to the natives. But eventually - surprise - they decided it was worth fighting over. Great British took it over during the Seven Years' War, and gained control in 1763. France tried a few times in the rest of the century to win it back, but it was rarely successful for very long.</p><p>By the 1800s, Dominica received more and more political power to run its own affairs. That situation was formalized in 1967, and 11 years later the Commonwealth of Dominica was formally placed on the map. The area took a couple of hits in the form of huge hurricanes in 2015 and 2017. Repairs continue, but they are trying.</p><p>Dominica provided one of the nicest days of our cruise to the region, with some of the best stops around. More people should give the economy a boost with a visit if you get the chance.</p><p> <iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AX3dMjd0VYM?si=lEk3-4z9SuowCewm" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-754722427568189009.post-72384104483221204952024-03-15T13:49:00.007-04:002024-03-16T14:32:12.811-04:00Roseau, Dominica<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaSOL3-747G2BDHXFKdO3sy7gdsHSA2OqU8_r-odQ6sPky-ZmzRqGJ2NycsON29kmSxTFhZ9BPP8PrwyUFXBBgrnvHvmh_KC78XjUcdYT2kq-dwVQvHE-ee7mP1AIkbJo-dPH34JkHRSjNLaWDc5wfTmAAFABYUq9w3_DdgU9Oj2Tn64T0sUaDNuNK_PQ/s5184/IMG_2298.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaSOL3-747G2BDHXFKdO3sy7gdsHSA2OqU8_r-odQ6sPky-ZmzRqGJ2NycsON29kmSxTFhZ9BPP8PrwyUFXBBgrnvHvmh_KC78XjUcdYT2kq-dwVQvHE-ee7mP1AIkbJo-dPH34JkHRSjNLaWDc5wfTmAAFABYUq9w3_DdgU9Oj2Tn64T0sUaDNuNK_PQ/w400-h300/IMG_2298.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Give yourself 10 points if you know about the island of Dominica. Give yourself 50 if you know its capital.<p></p><p>Welcome to Roseau, the heartbeat of the nation and major city. About 16,000 people call it home, and Roseau serves as the center of commerce. It's where the major port of the nation is, as fruits and vegetables leave here as exports while other goods arrive at this point. </p><p>If nothing else, the weather is dependable. It's usually around 85 degrees here as a high, no matter what the season. The winters are relatively dry and the summers are wet, but the total rainfall usually winds up at 70 inches. </p><p>Here's a look at the area: <br /></p><p></p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cyQpn08XCXU?si=xKQCgxBcByYn2KJ4" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-754722427568189009.post-54992123556247041302024-03-15T13:36:00.004-04:002024-03-22T11:56:03.777-04:00Roseau, Dominica: Botanical Gardens<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWbdAAVt1g-2EEzBN2Kid1YUfFuNuWbnK6R5Ms8UlWnv-7h_92yXuLgh9bnl1uk5AdQFUkp7rG7x0PVpuY8ktbtXz6W8ff6YiDXUJ3nbpZa0EHhP-YuFPYklgD4bAH-tO5v6xKE5Dczt2QMsyIQZiSmABKf9WVY-6fBT3RL-z9ewBvvwjsyP5Se7Lg3eI/s5184/IMG_2292.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWbdAAVt1g-2EEzBN2Kid1YUfFuNuWbnK6R5Ms8UlWnv-7h_92yXuLgh9bnl1uk5AdQFUkp7rG7x0PVpuY8ktbtXz6W8ff6YiDXUJ3nbpZa0EHhP-YuFPYklgD4bAH-tO5v6xKE5Dczt2QMsyIQZiSmABKf9WVY-6fBT3RL-z9ewBvvwjsyP5Se7Lg3eI/w400-h300/IMG_2292.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>These Botanical Gardens used to be famous throughout the Caribbean for its beauty. Then a hurricane came along in 1979 - these things happen in this part of the world - and the place was more or less destroyed. There's been a slow rebuilding effort going on, and we can report as of 2024 that it's still a good place for a stop when touring the island. <p></p><p>This facility opened under British rule around 1890, and within a few decades it became known throughout the region. One impressive part is that flat space is at a premium on Dominica, so to have so much space (relatively speaking) dedicated to gardens was nice. </p><p>Some scientific works takes place here, and you can also see some native parrots. The Gardens mark the start of Jack's Walk, a 15-minute climb to a site overlooking the city. My guess is that going downhill might be more popular with some of the tourists. <br /></p><p></p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vT4kCqjhH8o?si=zdYzGnUtlKfCECfS" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-754722427568189009.post-3643158926046925362024-03-15T13:23:00.005-04:002024-03-22T11:56:45.072-04:00Trafalgar Falls, Dominica<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAuGy0bQQOqSUTF7mA2ogLMdhYGo2zHWY-mMgM9C_WDjm56D9F113c4w7FRMX967YlW4fzlv_XFNXWjxzPE-BFk1s2bMpDMoXWF8oq3LbqniQjXi54it8gx3dAteZlt6Hv9bTO_ppeU62Qfi-jkdmrAMVHQ7b6SuFcvH1C37jOWob3W8FR3cfL8vJcYyI/s5184/IMG_2288.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAuGy0bQQOqSUTF7mA2ogLMdhYGo2zHWY-mMgM9C_WDjm56D9F113c4w7FRMX967YlW4fzlv_XFNXWjxzPE-BFk1s2bMpDMoXWF8oq3LbqniQjXi54it8gx3dAteZlt6Hv9bTO_ppeU62Qfi-jkdmrAMVHQ7b6SuFcvH1C37jOWob3W8FR3cfL8vJcYyI/w400-h300/IMG_2288.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Trafalgar Falls offers two waterfalls for the price of one. It might be the most popular tourist attraction in the country, and certainly is one of the jewels of Morne Trois Pitons National Park.<p></p><p>The area is located about seven miles from Roseau, the capital of the country. You can get a ride up to the hills, or - if you need the exercise - you can hike up the narrow road to get there. (In the case of the latter, watch out for cars and buses,) After paying a small fee, visitors go through the beautiful rain forest to reach the falls. Just be careful about the walk; this isn't Yellowstone and there are a couple of slightly difficult spots in terms of traction that require some caution.</p><p>The two waterfalls are respectfully called "Father" and "Mother." There is a nice platform for viewing, and people can get relatively close to the falls. The photos don't really do it justice; it's a great place for a visit.</p><p> <iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gb17LmpEvEc?si=5_g7sipidMGO3luk" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-754722427568189009.post-22683226967964060002024-03-15T13:08:00.004-04:002024-03-22T11:57:35.902-04:00Emerald Pool, Dominica<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAODTYILVym-ETsZts-hfqV4-X3uj7Yy5Rwejeo5vB6sWMXMOZCjEdeX1b7iYzCYOTCWoPLrkhWl5Kp4yojget2f2kA69hv_jnTeulozN1v4393qaHTrTExkDhNoLKjIgTRwEfUvt8E1GLeR27CwQyPCsWUQIiF74fUv_foLwuyAelHEeeTSeObh-dC_I/s5184/IMG_2264.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAODTYILVym-ETsZts-hfqV4-X3uj7Yy5Rwejeo5vB6sWMXMOZCjEdeX1b7iYzCYOTCWoPLrkhWl5Kp4yojget2f2kA69hv_jnTeulozN1v4393qaHTrTExkDhNoLKjIgTRwEfUvt8E1GLeR27CwQyPCsWUQIiF74fUv_foLwuyAelHEeeTSeObh-dC_I/w400-h300/IMG_2264.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>It's almost a magic trick to turn a blue body of water into something green and inviting. But the relatively famous Emerald Pool in Dominica does exactly that.<p></p><p>It is located on the edge of Morne Trois Pitons National Park,and it is considered one of the top attractions of the so-called "Nature Island." It takes a few minutes of walking to get there, but the rain forest provides plenty to see on the way. Eventually, the pool pops into view. </p><p>Visitors are allowed to hop in the pool, although it's rather rugged in terms of rocks surrounding the area. Somewhere, an OSHA official is sighing. It might be better viewed from a distance. As you can imagine, it's a popular spot for weddings. Several movies have been filmed there as well. </p><p>The entry fee is about $5 at last look, and you don't need a guide. Just walk somewhat carefully down the trail, and you'll get there. If you don't feel like a trip to the Caribbean, this video will have to do:</p><p></p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aLzu43vytj0?si=5mUT3fYNTx2mvzaH" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-754722427568189009.post-55988243160726966612024-03-14T16:40:00.004-04:002024-03-14T16:40:50.281-04:00Montserrat<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTGB8dexfAJmaCTcwaS6ofeBM0wA007HwknkMyXpkRuPjrHxFyRKQRyp65FQJ00bKR4hxDzH-Tdkkonpco1Jj-fMOY0B_ZLSp4tPxsNExr68ynZ1daMP3ucjnvhvWIbxVjCpwJ8hFqj1MvGWMs3bNZZCAuzJAro-nIe1tMItdhh_0U__bDzmoTDNN_wCM/s5184/IMG_2232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTGB8dexfAJmaCTcwaS6ofeBM0wA007HwknkMyXpkRuPjrHxFyRKQRyp65FQJ00bKR4hxDzH-Tdkkonpco1Jj-fMOY0B_ZLSp4tPxsNExr68ynZ1daMP3ucjnvhvWIbxVjCpwJ8hFqj1MvGWMs3bNZZCAuzJAro-nIe1tMItdhh_0U__bDzmoTDNN_wCM/w400-h300/IMG_2232.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>It looks like a cloudy day in Montserrat in the Caribbean, at least from the perspective of the hllls on Antigua. That's a little unusual, since the sun was out in the surrounding area.<p></p><p>But those aren't clouds over the island. That's steam. You might want to blow up the photo a bit by clicking on it. <br /></p><p>That brings us to the reason for that steam - a volcano. </p><p> The Soufrière Hills volcano had been pretty quiet before July of 1995, but it sprung back to life in a big way. An eruption caused the destruction of the capital city of Plymouth, and many (two-thirds or so) had to flee the island. The docking area and the airport were in the damage zone, which was roughly the southern half of the island. </p><p>The volcano has been pretty quiet since 2010, but an observatory has been keeping an eye on it since the eruption. A couple of hurricanes and the pandemic have slowed the rebuilding process. </p><p>Montserrat has an interesting history. It was first sighted by Columbus in 1493, and settled by a bunch of Irishmen in 1632. The French took it over briefly around the American Revolution as something of a gesture, but returned it when the Treaty of Paris was signed. </p><p>The place is considered an internally self-governing overseas territory of the United Kingdom. That's rather confusing. King Charles is considered the head of state, although he picked a Governor to run things. So does it count on your list of visited countries if you pay a visit? Probably not, but remember - it's your list. </p><p>You can only fly into Montserrat at this point, as an airport has been built in recent years. This is off the beaten path, but might be worth investigating if you are a little adventurous. </p><p></p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-EEm9TfQB5g?si=se-Nm7YI_ep0Jzj1" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-754722427568189009.post-89245595104368697942024-03-14T15:28:00.006-04:002024-03-22T11:59:09.159-04:00Antigua<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinX_Gye-rYMp5I1O6tumzB9xBw2NKUoi5S38uAvi-hF6Gqz9ZLikmxyCR5B1tDflzArS0WC4mv-n8FM9upxmPz2ORnIak4yhZVbTieHHAZfefnExRjsWm7QNonXvcmxiGKiDTahkUy_2lDgSyWoPYNVVeupzucCPtbyoT8BPLK-43_dszc76k9AiqVIdE/s5184/IMG_2249.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinX_Gye-rYMp5I1O6tumzB9xBw2NKUoi5S38uAvi-hF6Gqz9ZLikmxyCR5B1tDflzArS0WC4mv-n8FM9upxmPz2ORnIak4yhZVbTieHHAZfefnExRjsWm7QNonXvcmxiGKiDTahkUy_2lDgSyWoPYNVVeupzucCPtbyoT8BPLK-43_dszc76k9AiqVIdE/w400-h300/IMG_2249.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Antigua has been an independent nation for more than 40 years, receiving that distinction in 1981. It's still a member of Britain's Commonwealth. The island checks in at 108 square miles. <br /><p></p><p>Christopher Columbus was the first European to drop by, stopping in 1493. Some English colonists arrived more than 100 years later in 1632, and the place soon became a center for sugar production. Someone had to do the work on that, and the British brought in thousands of slaves from West Africa to work the fields. It took England a while, but eventually, the country outlawed slavery from its territories in 1807, and everyone was emancipated in 1834.</p><p>Our cruise ship used St. John's as a port. We walked around the downtown area in the afternoon, and have to say that parts of the neighborhood felt a little sketchy as an outsider. There are some designated areas for tourist shopping, and it's best to get some directions first before lighting out. </p><p>There are plenty of nice spots to see, too:</p><p> <iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ik9NeDDnd5Q?si=6iDO-hI2-xczXbHy" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-754722427568189009.post-29833998232403717112024-03-14T15:16:00.005-04:002024-03-22T12:00:34.429-04:00Nelson's Dockyard, Antigua<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3GaxY3DraPV1sZ31-EIQX6IolKt-h3_kLbCWqABkGQBOUw8UelUYInzLTJ3tjLhuAjHWlvVog_p7Ddq41kAqUbSmVq7vQE0AgMzxiNRT02PDsVFxsSV4C76Ewe8KNOpYIeNJssLfKhX6Z2_BRtCOdDz4AkL9ZzsABG_3cj9wKPB8cVmFHxQxYm9SPE40/s5184/IMG_2239.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3GaxY3DraPV1sZ31-EIQX6IolKt-h3_kLbCWqABkGQBOUw8UelUYInzLTJ3tjLhuAjHWlvVog_p7Ddq41kAqUbSmVq7vQE0AgMzxiNRT02PDsVFxsSV4C76Ewe8KNOpYIeNJssLfKhX6Z2_BRtCOdDz4AkL9ZzsABG_3cj9wKPB8cVmFHxQxYm9SPE40/w400-h300/IMG_2239.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Probably the biggest tourist attraction in Antigua that doesn't consist of a view can be found at Nelson's Dockyard, located on English Harbor. It's good enough to have qualified for UNESCO World Heritage Site status.<p></p><p>The British first acquired Antiqua in 1632, and needed to protect the area with its navy. This harbor offered some protection from hurricanes and was a natural pick. Soon construction began on a dockyard, although the area kept changing in the early 1700s as authorities figured out it was such a good spot. </p><p>The last facility started to go up in the 1740s, and it continued through the 1700s. The facility is named after Lord Horatio Nelson, who is in charge of the place from 1784 to 1787. Nelson was killed at the otherwise victorious Battle of Trafalgar, one of the great victories in British history. </p><p>The area is now a setting for yacht races. It's certainly a pretty spot, and is in good shape with historic markers around. Nelson's Dockyard is an unusual place by Caribbean standards, and that helped make it a good visit. <br /></p><p></p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/362HztfEbdw?si=TDMSPeQ3aN3z6W2j" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-754722427568189009.post-52537739263825419232024-03-14T15:02:00.001-04:002024-03-14T15:02:07.362-04:00Shirley Heights, Antigua<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnNcNYCklsU2lyGm9mm792cDh3TZSHPvu26K_0bjmxn8jSeHF7ukfgqoQ2lMljL_2y0CtuoYqBlmeVRJl6uWa0scLEK-9HvH17Pwi7fDY57O5Vg3gFaAA8FJOha61yLbkNUiMuCzw-kY57wdsSCyVo66BFSuahGnim2R_kdmmjM33ZGWYf15sRtOsA-0s/s5184/IMG_2230.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnNcNYCklsU2lyGm9mm792cDh3TZSHPvu26K_0bjmxn8jSeHF7ukfgqoQ2lMljL_2y0CtuoYqBlmeVRJl6uWa0scLEK-9HvH17Pwi7fDY57O5Vg3gFaAA8FJOha61yLbkNUiMuCzw-kY57wdsSCyVo66BFSuahGnim2R_kdmmjM33ZGWYf15sRtOsA-0s/w400-h300/IMG_2230.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Shirley Heights is part of the military complex that once guarded Antigua. Today it's relatively famous for having the best view in the country. The station overlooks the English Harbor and Falmouth Harbor in a commanding way. <p></p><p>It is named after Sir Thomas Shirley, the Governor of the Leeward Islands, in 1781. It seemed that Great Britain had lost all of its territory in the Caribbean except for Antigua/Barbuda at that point. Since the island still had some important resources, like sugar cane production, Shirley was told to beef up protection of the area. </p><p>The Heights are 490 feet above the waterlevel, and there are online stories about parties there at sunset. Sounds like a fine idea. </p><p></p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VPwEsOjkQzY?si=HsXclmdGNBKMscJv" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-754722427568189009.post-87918020251401047982024-03-14T14:51:00.004-04:002024-03-22T12:01:45.228-04:00Blockhouse Hill, Antigua<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_KuTthMXWYyvcJ0r2cQDZjgh98SwKbs1lhAUOyA3ESbXNL0lVrdTJPQ6krgm3uz79Z9gL3W3Zsnfvw_eEFNlodgImWNHOMXaUak2hvMrkkjhYw_IBT9gt5ZpcyckA9LgC3z2qaEhLFNL9uXzmZlj93NMAbLMK6k8JQYGNRT6V2XF8ErDrmVtvYBmfbSo/s5184/IMG_2227.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_KuTthMXWYyvcJ0r2cQDZjgh98SwKbs1lhAUOyA3ESbXNL0lVrdTJPQ6krgm3uz79Z9gL3W3Zsnfvw_eEFNlodgImWNHOMXaUak2hvMrkkjhYw_IBT9gt5ZpcyckA9LgC3z2qaEhLFNL9uXzmZlj93NMAbLMK6k8JQYGNRT6V2XF8ErDrmVtvYBmfbSo/w400-h300/IMG_2227.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>One things about old forts - they usually have a good location.<p></p><p>Such is the case in Antigua, where the authorities in the day picked out a prime bit of real estate to put up a fort. The remains of the facility exist today and are available for a visit. </p><p>The facilities are not in great shape, in spite of some restoration effort. Basically, tourists go there for a look at the shoreline .... which is, admittedly spectacular.</p><p>I concentrated on photos of the buildings during a visit, since I had plenty of photos of the coast. Restoration efforts continue on the complex, which is encouraging. <br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-754722427568189009.post-85111615167750037442024-03-14T14:17:00.001-04:002024-03-22T12:03:47.403-04:00Saint Martin<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj7RngeFCHhyphenhyphenp5XgH8QNbOqi5MQsEzvnsAF7AaJJQU7gdy24Xo1cynzjdfLRdAGS4UN2-8h5BVtjtaV4iDMIUOwtyWPEjam7Pe8qhg3dhRx4ozkgU3Mqia8eK_Tq0TU4_dgNUDJ-vtgmbwmhK-a6J6-u0cheuwftUvCmjsnP9CJ_vl8kbXdfvdTWT5l7g/s5184/IMG_2170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj7RngeFCHhyphenhyphenp5XgH8QNbOqi5MQsEzvnsAF7AaJJQU7gdy24Xo1cynzjdfLRdAGS4UN2-8h5BVtjtaV4iDMIUOwtyWPEjam7Pe8qhg3dhRx4ozkgU3Mqia8eK_Tq0TU4_dgNUDJ-vtgmbwmhK-a6J6-u0cheuwftUvCmjsnP9CJ_vl8kbXdfvdTWT5l7g/w400-h300/IMG_2170.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>It's easy to become a little confused when it comes to a relatively small island in Eastern Caribbean.<p></p><p>Saint Martin is east of Puerto Rico and checks in at only 34 square miles in size. The problem is that two countries share the island. The French side calls it Saint-Martin, while the land controlled by the Netherlands is Sint Maarten. The Dutch side is on the south, more or less, while the French is the northern part. There are two capitals - Philipsburg to the south (where the cruise ships come in), and Marigot to the north. </p><p>There are some signs on the roads when one goes from one country to the other. They share just about everything, except currencies ... and they seem to be working on that. In fact, during the pandemic, the governing authorities both thought it would be a good idea if everyone spent more time by themselves. The response was laughter, with a "try and stop us" approach.</p><p>Want to be more confused? The French portion is considered the Collectivity of Saint Martin and part of the French Republic. Meanwhile, Sint Maarten is part of the four countries that form the Kingdom of the Netherlands. (The two others besides the Netherlands itself are Aruba and Curacao.) What does this mean if you are the type of person who counts countries visited? Darned if I know. But I'm claiming two checks on the list, and I'll wait for someone official to tell me I'm wrong. In the title listings here, I'll stick to the generic Saint Martin to describe both sides. <br /></p><p>This is sort of left over from the days when European powers were busy carving up the world for colonies. France and the Netherlands agreed to split it in 1648, so that's more than 400 years of division. The border was changed a few times, but it has been stable for more than 200 years. Most people think a formal unification wouldn't change anything and therefore isn't really necessary.</p><p>The island has become a popular resort for the rich and famous, and income distribution is obviously a problem. And the next hurricane may only be a few months away; the 2017 storm did a number on the island. It's something of a Caribbean custom to sit back, relax, and not worry about the small stuff. It's a nice place to visit. </p><p>Here's Saint Martin:</p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_6jRbxvA8I0?si=JJQHXXnaK3KqYiei" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-754722427568189009.post-56208017871547347062024-03-13T16:44:00.005-04:002024-03-22T11:26:44.480-04:00Philipsburg, St. Martin: Courthouse<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQgw5Cl2vcWfWpagSXVYnyLJpAuIahFpn0URHRYqqWUxWdRc7P6Yk5FEuaEqjhx2j7kEE2hP8h4SnnXGpEjZHJwU6x3rnWzO75w0PKxQuc4U7ok9U9yyuddzMIceV2EM2UCgHTk7OXrv7SSxVXnrkkEl38XVozNsxrGp-f1KlY0llbvsfrsl7r4v3YEGY/s5184/IMG_2216%20%20Courthouse.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQgw5Cl2vcWfWpagSXVYnyLJpAuIahFpn0URHRYqqWUxWdRc7P6Yk5FEuaEqjhx2j7kEE2hP8h4SnnXGpEjZHJwU6x3rnWzO75w0PKxQuc4U7ok9U9yyuddzMIceV2EM2UCgHTk7OXrv7SSxVXnrkkEl38XVozNsxrGp-f1KlY0llbvsfrsl7r4v3YEGY/w400-h300/IMG_2216%20%20Courthouse.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>If you are one of those people who enjoy the questions on "Jeopardy" about national flags, this one is for you. <p></p><p>There are only a couple of buildings that are depicted on a country's flag, and this is one of them. (The other is Cambodia.) The Courthouse in Philipsburg has a history that dates back to 1793. This started as a home for Commander John Philips, but it eventually served other public functions like a jail and post office before finally becoming a courthouse. The last renovation was done in 1966.</p><p>It's something of a landmark in Philipsburg as these things go. I was lucky and happy to stumble on it for a photo opportunity. <br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-754722427568189009.post-13659761933064700712024-03-13T16:38:00.005-04:002024-03-15T21:22:01.708-04:00Philipsburg, Saint Martin: Pieter Stuyvesant Statue<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDFB9HsnT9YnMBPka2rUEPc-hlSNUsEi8H-ZpNDTL8QG3a9ZS3o1QJr_XmVtU3392gSpgF3yJIggfXJneZtXbdgzxMAp-tsp-zIe5_hxbdKFhGOI5H5c8fZphNWQMnYSQNW4T-_RW3kbOJijY6w7lUk3HBGAzxeY7opIwVlD0ggJf6pfEBRdSxUn7tyhI/s5184/IMG_2210%20-%20Stuyvesant.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5184" data-original-width="3888" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDFB9HsnT9YnMBPka2rUEPc-hlSNUsEi8H-ZpNDTL8QG3a9ZS3o1QJr_XmVtU3392gSpgF3yJIggfXJneZtXbdgzxMAp-tsp-zIe5_hxbdKFhGOI5H5c8fZphNWQMnYSQNW4T-_RW3kbOJijY6w7lUk3HBGAzxeY7opIwVlD0ggJf6pfEBRdSxUn7tyhI/w300-h400/IMG_2210%20-%20Stuyvesant.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>Most Americans associate <b>P</b>ieter Stuyvesant with New York City. So what's a statue of him doing in St. Martin, greeting tourists as they go through a shopping center near the port in Philipsburg?<p></p><p>It's a slightly long story. Stuyvesant was in Curacao in the Netherlands Antilles (near South America) in 1638. Six years later, he received orders from the Dutch government to take back Sint Maarten from the Spanish, who had taken it from the Netherlands in 1633. Upon landing, Stuyvesant took a wound in the leg, and soon had to have the limb amputated. </p><p>"Peg Leg Pete" returned to the battle, which lasted for another year or so and a Dutch defeat. Then it was on to his next assignment - governor of New Netherland - New York to us. He stayed in that role until 1664, when the British claimed control of the land. Stuyvesant hung around in New York as a private citizen, where he died in 1872. Pieter is buried at St. Mark's Cemetery.</p><p>By all accounts, Stuyvesant was something of a dictator - although maybe tough and hard-headed are better words. In any event, it's interesting that he is remembered here. <br /></p><p>Here's a video of the story:</p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7v1CNJlfiNc?si=4dWG9ZFGqDAOb7WK" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-754722427568189009.post-54587414833688509272024-03-13T15:16:00.008-04:002024-03-22T12:35:42.943-04:00Saint Martin: Bell's Lookout Point<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9zWpwRo5_mZ0y7o0FNQ7zzRmZE7pH_Dga8SjfD5FTq_VTU0xBUbB8_kSqygjNa2-n3AHERo0vvie9fPnzYYUXK8FX1TccC67IqV5ZVP0rRTAlet7VpRyrSh_96wqMt2BYgRvvJ17Wbhk66ZB8CM8CsRkmKb83iYRAmh_sGIatZLy17HjgrbJiKZJMUdQ/s5184/IMG_2207.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9zWpwRo5_mZ0y7o0FNQ7zzRmZE7pH_Dga8SjfD5FTq_VTU0xBUbB8_kSqygjNa2-n3AHERo0vvie9fPnzYYUXK8FX1TccC67IqV5ZVP0rRTAlet7VpRyrSh_96wqMt2BYgRvvJ17Wbhk66ZB8CM8CsRkmKb83iYRAmh_sGIatZLy17HjgrbJiKZJMUdQ/w400-h300/IMG_2207.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>William Henry Bell II was part of a family group that put together the real estate package on Cape Bay Estate in 1949. It was about 300 acres in size and offers nice views of the seaside. <p></p><p>Sadly, Bell didn't get much of a chance to enjoy the scenery. He passed away less than a year later at the age of 33.</p><p>Some years later, the new owners of the property - the N.V. Bell Realty Corporation - decided to honor Mr. Bell with a statue. He has a great perpetual view, and he guards the trail up to the main lookout. </p><p>The tourists buses show a bit of courage by pulling over to the side of a crowded, narrow row so that visitors can take a very worthwhile look. Here's the view. Be sure to look both ways in the area. <br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0